The penultimate gameweek of the 2019/20 Absa Premiership season takes centre stage on Wednesday 2 September 2020 with all 16 teams involved. With so much late drama involved with South Africa’s top flight, we take a deeper look at where its sensible to put your money.
Wednesday 2 September
Draw 21/10
AmaZulu 5/2
(18:00)
Stellenbosch, for me, have been one of the best teams in the bio-bubble and they head into this game off the back of a four-match unbeaten run with two wins and two draws, which includes an emphatic victory over top-placed Kaizer Chiefs. AmaZulu finally registered their first win since the resumption of football when they beat Black Leopards 1-0 courtesy of Bongi Ntuli’s solitary strike. Ntuli has now scored 13 goals which is one shy of the league’s leading goalscorers. This also means he’s scored 72% of his team’s goals this season. Usuthu’s over-reliance on Ntuli is concerning but with players like Lehlohonolo Majoro delivering impressive performances of late, I’ll tip an upset. Take the AmaZulu win at 5/2.
Draw 26/10
Baroka 6/1
(18:00)
SuperSport United were the architects of their own downfall when they succumbed 2-1 to Orlando Pirates on Saturday as two of their strikers failed to convert from the penalty spot. On the other hand, Baroka shocked Mamelodi Sundowns, who were at some point on the day riding the crest of the Absa Premiership wave with Ananias Gebhardt’s header from a corner kick handing Bakgakga three vital points. Expect these sides to cancel each other out.
Draw 24/10
Bidvest Wits 6/10
(18:00)
Black Leopards plummeted to a relegation play-off spot after losing to fellow relegation candidates in AmaZulu. They tried every trick in the book to find an equaliser but a great defensive display by the opponents kept them at bay. On the other hand, Wits still have a theoretical chance of winning the league after shocking top-placed Chiefs 1-0. I’ll put my money on the visitors.
Draw 2/1
Bloemfontein Celtic 15/10
(18:00)
Draw 21/10
Cape Town City 11/10
(18:00)
Highlands Park have a recent record of four consecutive draws and the news about the team being sold might be affecting the players and the technical staff. Cape Town City have been rejuvenated in recent weeks with four wins in the last five games which includes a 3-2 victory over title-chasing Sundowns. I don’t see anything besides the Citizens’ win here.
Kaizer Chiefs 9/20
Draw 28/10
Chippa United 13/2
(18:00
Polokwane City 13/2
Draw 28/10
Mamelodi Sundowns 9/20
(18:00)
Draw 21/10
Orlando Pirates 11/10
(18:00)
It’s fifth against sixth on the table and both teams have an identical record of three draws, one win and one defeat in the last five games. Pirates’ win came last week against SuperSport United with Wayne Sandilands saving two penalties. Any other day, the Buccaneers could have drawn or lost that game. A share of the spoils is on the cards.
TREBLE @ 7/1
AmaZulu Win 5/2
Bidvest Wits Win 6/10
Kaizer Chiefs Win 9/20
Bidvest Wits Win 6/10
Kaizer Chiefs Win 9/20
Written by Benedict Ngwenya